Tag Archives: Alexander McQueen

What is the point of high fashion these days? Is there a reason that designers still get to sit on their high horses when the most talked about brand these days is Vetements, with all its nonstop talk about “clothing people actually wear”? It’s really an issue of the industry failing to catch up with the times, which is strangely ironic considering that fashion is supposed to represent and extol the times it lives in.

In the aughts of haute couture, and really since before the time of Charles Frederick Worth (considered the progenitor of high fashion) and Marie Antoinette, what fashion represented in the zeitgeist and times was desire. Plain and simple, it was about elevating and making clothing so beautiful, flattering, and jealousy-inducing that it was a means to a social end. Fashion is so strikingly bourgeois and hierarchical today precisely because it has, for so many years, represented a certain degree of sophistication and, indeed, wealth.

Chanel

So what is high fashion for today, if Chanel is no longer haughtily pronouncing items of clothing démodé and instead, planting emojis onto accessories and clothing? If a brand as vaunted and intellectual as Prada is selling bags straight off the runway, can it still maintain a cachet of luxury and intelligence without the stink of shilling products (perhaps by making customers wait for the rest of its seasonal fashion direction)?

Balenciaga

I posit that high fashion today is returning to its core, plain and simple, all over again. It is about beautiful clothing, wonderful things people feel an urge to wear, and representing the cultural values of the times. It is why Balenciaga under Demna Gvasalia feels so… right. With its post-modern melding of old-world techniques and new-age street-wise tricks, it has been vaulted right back into the fashion consciousness – and it is worth paying attention to again. With the advertising and PR money of fashion, it sometimes becomes difficult to differentiate what’s worth the time and what’s paid for. The purest reaction, then, is clothing that can convince customers to part with money to put on their back.

Vetements

The ’90s were all at once the best and worst time for intellectual fashion, but that’s gone down the drain now. Conglomeration of brands and companies meant that fashion as an art and a means to an end was becoming monetized. Think of LVMH, Kering and Prada group’s expansions at the time.

In an environment where people simply demanded more and more clothing, it became hard for such intellectually-driven and conceptual designers to continue – never mind that the clothes they designed and created were eminently wearable and beautiful. But it was tricky, because the old shows from Prada, for instance, were such subtle exercises in decryption. Meaning was layered and veiled, and it took a trained eye and mind to pick apart what exactly Mrs Prada was saying each season. Today, a collection like its FW16 vagabond girls-on-the-run one is, while beautiful, almost obvious to interpret. In recent seasons too: fast cars and sweaty glamour, stiff Stepford wives’ tailoring, duney desert travellers. They make big political and cultural statements, but they’re plain to see.

Saint Laurent

Therein lies the problem. When fashion becomes grounds for intellectual concepts, customers get frustrated. It was famously hard for people to grasp Craig Green’s debut SS15 collection with flowing judoka quilts and banners bound to the models. But it struck a chord with the industry collective viewing the show – inspiring some tears, even. Here was a collection set against an Enya soundtrack, resplendent in creative liberty and in the luxury of time it took to craft. It was beautiful and it sold. Next season, he did a similar thing – line and silhouette were only slightly different, but there was a complete reversal in the reaction of the press. Lambasts of similarity and repetition abounded, and it became clear that the industry was on the same page as its readers’ attention spans. Never mind giving designers time to develop an idea and letting it stew, mutate, evolve and be felt out. We wanted more and more of the new.

Prada

So where is intellectual fashion’s place in today’s fast-paced commercial churning environment? It is a conundrum that is hard to solve. Perhaps that is why Vetements is so successful – because it makes you feel like you’re thinking and being smart about things while contributing no effort at all. Perhaps it is why Hedi Slimane’s Saint Laurent was such a runaway commercial success – because you didn’t have to think while wearing his clothes, you just had to partake in his vacuous vein of L.A. grungy cool. Perhaps it is why Phoebe Philo’s Céline is so influential – women don’t have to think about what they’re representing to the world because Philo’s clothing whispers refinement for them. Perhaps it is why Alessandro Michele’s Gucci is so refreshing – they’re simply fun to wear (the same, season after season) and don’t offer much by way of a political or cultural message.

I am not against any of this.

Jacquemus

On the contrary, it is the way fashion is today, and to whine about time gone by is to be astoundingly near-sighted – rather, rear-sighted. Karl Lagerfeld has been so good for Chanel exactly because he takes to the times he lives in like a cultural sponge. There’s a respect to the historical foundations of the brand, but even more surely a perspective of today.

Gucci

What I’m saying is that “commercial” isn’t necessarily a bad word. We’ve been wary of the financial beast for long enough; it’s time to be smart about it and synthesize what we know with what we want. There’s a reason designers such as Christian Lacroix went out of business despite his reign in the ’80s and ’90s in Paris: extravagance and bonanza dresses stopped becoming relevant. After sobering financial crashes, actual plane crashes and a global worldview of uncertainty, the dream was over.

Dries Van Nolen

Today, the new dream is perhaps clothes that slide right into daily life. A note: I’m not saying poorly designed and poorly made clothes with nary a thought or smarts should get a pass for being easy to buy and wear. I’m talking about fashion that has a contextual place in contemporary culture and represents a designer’s point of view. Ultimately, that’s the place of fashion: on our backs.

In 1909, the first radio broadcast was made and Joan of Arc was beatified by the Pope – it was also the year British brands Morgan and Selfridges were founded. In honor of the occasion, Morgan named its latest car the EV3 UK 1909 Edition and enlisted Selfridges to help. The new Morgan EV3 will be launched at the Salon Privé concours d’Elegance from September 1 – 3 this year.

Clearly, the Morgan EV3 UK 1909 Edition couldn’t be any more British. Created in partnership with the iconic departmental store and fashion retailer down Oxford Street, the collaboration celebrates the automaker’s 107th anniversary with a production of 19 examples of the classic three-wheeler electric car. On the inside, the special edition will run via an electric motor that gives a distance of 120 to 150 miles per charge and hit a top speed of 90mph – just like the standard EV3. Its façade, however, gets the high-end treatment; the bullet-bodied car comes black with Selfridges bronze detailing, and its interiors are fitted with wood and treated aluminum.

For a car this eye-catching, it is only right to dress the part and Selfridges has also got that sorted out for you. Nine British designer brands have created gear for the occasion – think Linda Farrow driving goggles, an Alexander McQueen scarf, a Globetrotter trunk that fits in the car’s luggage rack – of which all are manufactured in the UK.

“The combination of engineering, style and design seen with the UK 1909 Edition EV3 lends itself to be unveiled at Salon Privé,” said event co-founder David Bagley. “[It is an] event that combines cars, glamour and fashion at one of Britain’s most glamorous locations.”

Following its appearance at Salon Privé, the retro-futuristic car will go on show at Selfridges in Birmingham on October 1 and then to the London Oxford Street store November 1, where potential buyers can view the car in all its iconic glory. The Morgan EV3 UK 1909 Edition will only cost a surprising £52,500, which is a huge bargain for a bespoke, collector car from a future that never will be, if you ask us.

For a more detailed look at the car and its manufacturing process, view the video below:

Ever fancied getting under the skin of the late great Alexander McQueen? Well you can – quite literally – because designer Tina Gorjanc has plans to make a range of leather goods using skin tissue harvested via DNA from the late designer’s hair.

This puzzling idea should raise you many questions, which we will address; how did she attain said hair, for instance. Well, the single lock of his hair came from McQueen’s first ever collection ‘Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims’, filed away in a clear plastic pocket. The skin tissue harvested will then be tanned and turned into human leather, which she plans to incorporate into a collection of jackets, bags and backpacks deceptively titled “The Pure Human”.

No need to freak out yet, though – Gorjanc’s ambitious project is only in its conceptual phase. She has, however, created prototypes with pig skin, so the human version might well become a reality. In an interview with Dezeen, she explains the collection “was designed as a critical design project that aims to address shortcomings concerning the protection of biological information and move the debate forward using current legal structures.”

According to Dazed Digital, Gorjanc isn’t the first to incorporate human matter into fashion. Previous attempts have included making pendants out of breast milk and shoes out of teeth.

From androgynous dress suits in floral prints to saccharine-sweet pastels and kitsch sensuality, the trends for Pre-Fall 2016 are pretty diverse, so there’s something for everyone. Here, our friends at L’Officiel Singapore have done the research for you to bring you 18 looks you should sport for the transitional season.

DRESSY SUIT

Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci

When it comes to suiting now, bolder is better. Give your classic navy and black suits a rest and look to versions in daring prints and opulent fabrics – think Bottega Veneta’s mismatched tailoring or Givenchy’s flower-embellished stunner punked up with studded boots.

STANDARD (RE)ISSUE

Alexander Wang

Military gets a cool downtown vibe with Alexander Wang’s introduction of grunge elements – beanies, chains and opaque tights – and unexpectedly ladylike accents in the form of velvet heels.

DOUBLE COATED

Dior

A clever take on layering by the design team at Dior, with a gently curved olive coat shrugged over another coat in rich brown fur. A lace-trimmed slip and sparkly flats lends ease and lightness to the look.

SHEAR THING

Burberry

Shearling continues to be a giant trend for Pre-Fall, turning up as cool outerwear at brands as diverse as Coach, Paco Rabanne and Stella McCartney. Christopher Bailey showed an oversized one at Burberry, which he paired with sleek flares and a boyish rucksack.

FUN FURS

Fendi

Shearling’s more luxurious cousin is also having its moment in the sun, but these furs are not your grandmother’s dowdy ones. Pre-Fall’s best shaggy pieces come in fabulous hues and patterns like those on Marni’s graphic check fur stole, Valentino’s ombre fur robe and Fendi’s floral explosion.

CANDY CRUSH

Michael Kors Collection

Considering the fact that most Pre-Fall collections hit shop floors at the height of summer, it makes sense to drench them in sweet, uplifting shades. Giorgio Armani showed tiered dresses in washed-out blues, Sportmax proposed pale lemon for our outerwear, while Michael Kors had us thinking pink.

MASCULINE FEMININE

Versace

Boy-meets-girl is a trope fashion loves to reinterpret. This season’s offerings include Jason Wu’s jackets that were sculpted for a feminine silhouette, butterfly and lipstick prints on an Alexander McQueen pantsuit, and Prince-of-Wales tailoring at Versace shot through with baby blue and worn with a tiny skirt.

SHINE ON

Emilio Pucci

Who says that sequins should only come out when the sun goes down? When styled with the right pieces, metallics make a wonderful daytime statement too. Case in point: Phillip Lim’s gold wide pants, worn with a silk shirt, and Emilio Pucci’s sequined shirt, paired with a breezy skirt and a sandal-sock combo.

PRETTY PLEATS

Gucci

The pleated midi skirt is fashion’s favourite skirt shape of the moment and no one does it better than Alessandro Michele. This season he rendered it in high-impact silver worn with an equally shiny pink bomber. Elsewhere, Michael Kors, Giorgio Armani and Max Mara also offered beautiful options of the pleated midi.

MODERN ETHNIC

Alexander McQueen

The current-season way to pull off ethnic influences can be seen in the collections of Alexander McQueen and Altuzarra. The key is to go for a sharper, more fitted silhouette; the end look needs to come off sleek and polished instead of billowy and bohemian.

POWER TULLE

Stella McCartney

Where Miuccia Prada goes, others are sure to follow. After last season’s enchanting tulle layers at Miu Miu, the gauzy fabric is shaping up to be a key layering element. Molly Goddard has built a name with her joyful tulle creations, while Stella McCartney presented a womanly version worn over trousers and a bustier.

TIE DYE TWIST

Valentino

Designers are reinventing tie-dye with a luxe spin, moving it farther away from hippie-dippy and muddy music-fest connotations. Our favourite version is from Valentino, where the saturation is amped way up and cut into a modern anorak, juxtaposed with a smart shirt and thigh-highs.

SWEET ’60s

Bally

The youthful charm of the ’60s look has always endured – who can resist the appeal of a little skirt, a fitted jumper and a flattering peacoat? The best looks aren’t faithful reproductions, though; we love Pablo Coppola’s take at Bally where the coat is cut ultra-sharp in bright red and the skirt comes in glossy leather.

’70s REDUX

Saint Laurent

The ’70s is another decade that fashion keeps returning to, but no one makes a more convincing case than Hedi Slimane. At Saint Laurent, he conjured up the bohemian glamour of Loulou de la Falaise with his swishing culottes and midi skirts, all topped with silken blouses and showstopping cloaks and capes.

NAUGHTY & NICE

Chanel

Fashion loves a good clash of contrasting ideas and this season, designers are riffing on the themes of naughty and nice. Bally has a sharply tailored trench in glossy, fetishistic patent; Alexander Wang put fishnet tights under prim skirts and Karl Lagerfeld invoked Italian screen sirens wearing leather and lace with tweeds and pearls.

SPORTS COUTURE

Paco Rabanne

Athleticism in fashion is here to stay but the most talented, innovative designers are constantly finding new ways to elevate and marry it with high fashion. J.W. Anderson, for example, created bold new things from the idea of nylon and tracksuits, while Julien Dossena at Paco Rabanne cleverly mixed zippers and mesh with lush materials for an effortless but luxurious take.

PUFF PIECE

Louis Vuitton

The grandly exaggerated Edwardian shoulder continues to get more play for Pre-Fall. It showed up with retro inflections at Gucci, while at 3.1 Phillip Lim and J.W. Anderson, it was deconstructed and updated for today’s cool girls. But the most interesting mash-up was at Louis Vuitton where Nicolas Ghesquière paired sculpted shoulders with motorcross leggings and edgy, chunky boots.

DENIM DREAMS

Valentino

This wardrobe staple has been given a fancy upgrade for Pre-Fall. At Carven, it was mixed with shearling and shown as a total-look statement. Julie de Libran also showed denim-on-denim at Sonia Rykiel but her looks were embroidered while Massimo Giorgetti’s Pucci pieces were printed with feathers. The most whimsical were Valentino’s versions, which bore elaborate scenes and dreamscapes.

Kate Middleton’s wedding back in 2011 caused a replica-storm to hit the market shortly after, but not many were able to match up to the dressmaking abilities of Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton, with its intricate lace and elaborate embroidery. Still, for those still having the white dreams of that day running through your head, you can get the next best thing – a reinterpretation of Pippa Middleton’s bridesmaid dress on sale for $1,539. Well… it’s close enough.

The key difference between the new dress and Middleton’s are mainly in the lack of lace, the lack of a cowl scoop at the neckline, shorter sleeves, and no row of buttons down the back. Still, it’s the thought that counts – after all the dress made for the wedding was entirely custom created, attuned specifically to Pippa’s body.

So, for those who want to know what it feels like to be fabulous in white, you can check out the dress over at fashion retailer site Forward by Elsie Walker, where it’s been marked down by 40%.

Following his stint at Alexander McQueen from 2004 until May 2016, Jonathan Akeroyd joined the Gianni Versace S.p.A family as Chief Executive Officer earlier this week and is expected to take office on June6, 2016.

“We are delighted to welcome Jonathan Akeroyd as our new CEO. Jonathan brings a proven track record in building global brands, steering growth and driving strategic development. Jonathan Akeroyd’s industry expertise and vision will be key to advancing the next phase of Versace’s development,” said Donatella Versace, Vice President and Artistic Director.

The new appointment brings Gian Giacomo Ferraris’ successful tenure to an end. He joined Versace in 2009 and led the Italian couture house to grow despite trying financial times and an earlier brush with bankruptcy.

Akeroyd brings his expertise as CEO from Alexander McQueen, where he successfully expanded the brand internationally, working hand-in-hand with creative and leadership teams during one of the company’s most robust periods.

“It is an honor to be joining such a dynamic and innovative organization. Versace is an iconic lifestyle brand recognized globally as a premier name in luxury,” said Akeroyd. I look forward to implementing a long-term business strategy that supports the visionary and creative direction of Donatella Versace and her team. This is an exciting opportunity to take Versace to even greater success.”

The fashion runways churn out an impressive number of style stories with their trends and designs. Today we take a closer look at the accessories that don’t need to try too hard to catch your attention — simply because you can’t miss them. Bigger is always better it seems with the looks we’ve seen on the catwalk and we can’t wait to share some of our favorites, which are also the favorites ofL’Officiel Singapore, who put together this piece.

Bold & Beautiful

Statement necklaces and arm parties have seen their day. With so many designers cutting away garments to reveal necks and shoulders, it only makes sense to draw more attention to these areas via a pair of huge, sweeping shoulder-dusters.Make them the focal accessory by going for interesting details and colour combinations, lots of sparkle, or an arresting sculptural shape.

Chain Reaction

Fashion’s fallen head over heels for this punk-tinged hardware, but given it a decidedly feminine touch. Alexander Wang used gold chains to embellish the dainty mesh bags in his romantic all-white Balenciaga collection. Miuccia Prada used them on retro, ladylike pieces in her rich, tactile collection, while Armani and Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen draped them on the body to offset light, delicate clothes.

The All-Clear

Plastic truly is fantastic. Designers as varied as Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel and John Galliano at Maison Margiela all offered versions of the transparent stuff plastered on bags, heels, sandals and hats. The most directional pieces, though, came from Jonathan Anderson who used it on garments at his eponymous label and on plastic Puzzle bags, pouches, jewelry and even trousers at Loewe.

Crowning Glory

If you’re looking to indulge your inner princess fantasies, now is the time to do it. The girls at No 21 wore bands of sparkling stones atop their dreamy white looks. The Rodarte sisters wove medieval-looking gold leaves into their models’ hair, while Dolce and Gabbana crowned their glamorous Italian girls with fruits, crystals and flowers. Not everything was so princess-like though; both Miuccia Prada and Hedi Slimane showed actual tiaras at Miu Miu and Saint Laurent, respectively, but their girls and the clothes had an alluringly rebellious vibe.

Easy Boost

Sandals are a fail-proof summer staple but they’ve now been given a fun fashion twist via luxe materials, bright punchy prints and, most importantly, an elevated standing thanks to a sturdy flatform or a low chunky block heel. We love Fendi’s graphic leather slides, Ferragamo’s strappy ones with pop-coloured soles and those printed Chanel sandals that light up like an airport runway.

White Light

For Spring/Summer ’16, designers have chosen to make their biggest statements in white. The effect is clean and chic, but far from minimal. At Balenciaga, Alexander Wang sent out rucksacks, totes and clutches in beautifully delicate silk satin, lace and woven leathers. Phoebe Philo’s white Céline bags were graphic with interesting hardware details while her Chelsea boots had a chunky, mannish appeal. Massimo Giorgetti’s sandals at Emilio Pucci on the other hand were romantically dotted with pearls.

Scotland’s own Christopher Kane transformed the massive Turbine Hall in London’s Tate Modern Museum into his own runway for London Fashion Week. The designer’s collection could be best described as quirky. Several reviewers were far less kind as they felt it was less high fashion and more towards crazy bag lady.

Christopher Kane Fall/Winter ’16 at London Fashion Week

With Samantha Cameron, wife of the British Prime Minister in attendance, the designer paid tribute to his late mother by incorporating her penchant for wearing rain bonnets. This apparently explains the discarded plastic carrier bags that sat on the head of several models. The palette stuck to neutral tones, deep reds and greys, save for the lone shocking orange creation. Using corrugated cardboard, the designer crafted camel-colored coats while decaying woolly jumpers are held up with metal pins. The dresses in the collection saw the fabric trail into individual fraying strips.

Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter ’16 at London Fashion Week

Another designer to get the attention of the fashion world was Alexander McQueen, under the helm of Sarah Burton. After a more-than decade-long absence from London Fashion Week, the return of one of Britain’s famous sons showcased a mix of ultra feminine and edgy pieces. Continuing the trend from last season of shades of pink with butterflies and flowers, the designs also featured hints of leather in the form of bustiers and jackets. There was a princess like feel with the lace, silk and chiffons that appeared in crystal encrusted full-length gowns.

Contrasting collections aside, the designers certainly showed the fashion world what British style is always on point.

Images here are courtesy of Alexander McQueen and the AFP for Christopher Kane.

London Fashion Week kicks off today and the talk leading up to the show largely focuses on the return of the revered fashion house Alexander McQueen to the lineup. Under the watchful eye of Creative Director Sarah Burton, the label is making a homecoming after 10 years for the Autumn-Winter ’16 collection. Joining McQueen in a comeback to London is leather goods brand Mulberry, now under the direction of new creative director Johnny Coca.

Alexander McQueen and Mulberry join nearly 80 designers in the UK capital to unveil their collections. Other notable names to look out for include Belstaff, Burberry, Christopher Kane and Vivienne Westwood. Meanwhile, newcomers include shoes and accessories brand Charlotte Olympia, which will host its first catwalk show this season, and Belgium brand A.F. Vandevorst. Another highlight will be the Topshop Unique show, which fashion photographer Nick Knight has been lined up to shoot, and which will be unveiled in real time on the brand’s Instagram account (which will be crazy cool).

For the first time in LFW history, around 35 million people across the UK will see content from the proceedings, including runway shows, on 60 outside screens in nine different cities thanks to a collaboration between media company Ocean Outdoor and The British Fashion Council (BFC). The event will also see around 200,000 copies of The Daily, the official LFW broadsheet, distributed around the city.

Meanwhile, the BFC has revealed that its official Mercedes Benz chauffeurs will drive fashionistas around 32,000 miles during the event, 200kg of Lavazza coffee beans will be ground to help keep everyone alert, and that 500 cans of label.m hairspray are predicted to be used backstage.

London Fashion Week runs February 19-23. For more information, click here.

It is award season frenzy and we need to catch our breath with the numerous designer looks on the (various) red carpets. While the stars enjoy the sunshine in Los Angeles, they brave the rain in London, all while decked out in designer gems. The contrasting weather conditions certainly don’t dampen the mood nor do the stars make any less of an effort. In fact we saw several looks that stole the show and even fell in love with several accessories on the red carpet.

First up is British actress Annabelle Wallis in a red Oscar De La Renta gown with Chopard accessories. Her outfit combined numerous collections that somehow seem to work seamlessly together. The scene-stealer was a stunning pair of 18-carat white gold earrings from the Maison’s Red Carpet Collection earrings, set with pear-shaped rubies and diamonds. Accompanying her ruby and diamond earrings was a white gold ring featuring round-shaped brilliant-cut diamonds and a round shaped brilliant-cut ruby, from the L’Heure du Diamant Collection. The final piece to her outfit was a white Fairmined gold ring, set with marquise-cut diamonds from the Maison’s Green Carpet Collection.

Red carpet favourite Cate Blanchett, swept onto the red carpet, in floral Alexander McQueen creation that had critics on the fence. Nonetheless, she ensured that the accessories left us in awe. The award winner shone bright with earrings and a cuff from the 2016 Tiffany Blue Book. Her dramatic earrings featured mixed-cut diamonds while the cuff was set with marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds. We are looking forward to her outfit at the Academy Awards since she seems to have the best picks of the Blue Book.

Next on our radar is Irish actress Saoirse Ronan. The Leading Actor nominee followed a ‘less-is-more’ strategy with her accessories, all from Chopard. Complementing her floral Burberry gown was a white gold necklace set with fancy colored sapphires, fancy colored briolette-cut sapphires, round-shaped rose-cut diamonds and pear-shaped rose-cut diamonds from the Chopard High Jewelry Collection. The second piece, also from the same collection, was a white and yellow gold ring with a yellow pear-shaped diamond and brilliant-cut diamonds.

Emilia Clarke a.k.a Khalessi was another stunner on the carpet. Adding a pop of color to her Victoria Beckham dress, she is certainly an actress to take note of, and her accessories were simple yet unforgettable. The Mother of Dragons selected platinum earrings and ring from Tiffany & Co. to complete her look. The diamond cluster earrings did not take the attention away from the dress or the actress but instead managed to enhance it. The ring features a 2.09-carat center diamond for that extra sparkle.

The last on our list, is Kate Winslet. Her Antonio Berardi fit her like a glove and showed us just how well a beautifully made black dress can outshine any other. She let her accessories do the talking, with Morning Dew chandelier earrings by David Morris and 16-carats worth of diamonds on her wrist by the same jeweler.

Hollywood’s top stars were armored in glamour January 10 as they dazzled the Golden Globes red carpet with lots of attitude. Guess who rocked the necklace shown above? Anyway, we saw plenty to admire in terms of strapless wonders (Emmy Rossum in Armani with a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, who has already won the Internet), amazing jewelry (Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez and Julianne Moore are in a three-way tie for the win), unbeatable accessories that cannot be bought (mostly abs courtesy of Brie Larson and Kate Hudson, and Moore’s escort, Tom Ford) and properly impressive gowns (Lady Gaga, Jenna Dewan Tatum and Rooney Mara).

Here are our selections, with images via the AFP and Chopard (we are still waiting for a suitable image of Rossum), of the best-in-show for 2016. We shall see if any of these looks will make into the “Best-Of” lists for 2016…

Kate Bosworth shone at this 73rd ceremony in a pink-and-silver sequinned number from Dolce & Gabbana.

Emilia Clarke – The Game of Thrones actress channeled her fictional alter-ego with this vampy black floor-length gown and sheer-cape combo from Valentino.

Lady Gaga – The American singer channeled retro chic on the red carpet at this year’s Golden Globes, with a long gown by Atelier Versace falling perfectly across her shoulders.

Kate Hudson – Here is where a fitness regime really pays off. Hudson showed off her washboard abs in a glitzy nude ensemble by Michael Kors Collection. Aside from her abs, which is really what this look is about, the choker brings the whole thing together and is also from Michael Kors.

Jennifer Lopez – The diva Latina wowed the red carpet in a flowing canary-yellow gown by Giambattista Valli Haute Couture. Apparently, that lovely necklace is by none other than Harry Winston. Oh yes and we love how the guy in the background seems so concerned about J-Lo’s train…

Rooney Mara – The American actress took to the red carpet in a beaded, floor-length number from Alexander McQueen, in a nude hue almost matching her skin tone.

Julianne Moore – With nothing to envy of her up-and-coming counterparts, Moore sparkled on the red carpet in this midnight-blue sequin-covered number by Tom Ford, with jewelry by Chopard. She was also accompanied by Ford himself, which gives her possibly the best arm candy at the show.

Jada Pinkett Smith – With subtly revealed shoulders and a thigh-high split showing matching heels, Will Smith’s other half looked stunning in an emerald-green number by Atelier Versace.

British fashion gets one of its sexiest names back next year for Fashion Week, well sort of. Alexander McQueen will present its Fall/Winter 2016 collection at London Fashion Week in February, one of many highlights of the LFW schedule, which was revealed December 10.

The London-based house usually shows in Paris, and its return to its home city will be for one season only, according to the brand.

The label’s announcement was made as the British Fashion Council revealed the official schedule for London Fashion Week, which runs from February 19-23.

Among other notable additions are shoe designer Charlotte Olympia and Mulberry, which will debut the first collection of new creative director Johnny Coca.

An Alexander McQueen exhibit has become the most successful paid-for exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

During its 21-week run, “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” attracted more than 493,000 visitors from 87 countries, including guests from East Timor and Uzbekistan, says the museum.

The exhibit, which paid homage to the late designer, also sold a record-breaking 84,000 advance tickets and, to meet unprecedented demand, kept the museum open throughout the night for the first time in its history during the final two weekends. It also attracted an online audience of 3 million.

“Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” which closed Aug. 2, was the first retrospective of McQueen’s work presented in Europe.

The short film (below), which has been revealed on Knight’s fashion film website Showstudio.com includes some of the iconic visionary’s most famous designs, selected with the help of current creative director of the brand, Sarah Burton, and stylist Edward Enninful.

The montage, created in collaboration with filmmaker Younji Ku and art director Jon Emmony, features the feathered dress McQueen unveiled in 2001 and his revered ‘houndstooth’ 2009 look.

Animation and 3D techniques added to the footage create a captivating universe centered around the designer’s brilliant talent.

Demand was so high that the museum stayed open through the night for the final two weekends of the show, which became the most popular show ever staged at the museum, selling 480,000 tickets over its 21-week run.

Nick Knight is known for his innovative fashion film and photography, and has worked on campaigns for houses including Christian Dior, Lancôme, Swarovski, Levi Strauss, Calvin Klein and Yves Saint Laurent.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN is to reveal its fall ad campaign Tuesday, shot by photographer David Sims, who also shot their spring ad campaign.

New faces include the models Ruth Bell, Julia van Os and Jamilla Hoogenboom and the first three photos will be released on Tuesday and the last three are to launch over the course of the remaining month.

Overall themes include femininity and individualism and the photos were taken in a studio in London.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, the luxury brand headed by creative director Sarah Burton, is set to unveil its first ever standalone store in the Paris.

Situated at 372 on the famed Rue Saint-Honoré, the new store space will measure around 600 square meters and will feature the brand’s new interior concept designed by Burton in collaboration with London design firm David Collins Studio.

The boutique, expected to open in summer 2015, will carry the full lines of ready-to-wear and accessories for men and women, alongside perennial McQueen classics including the ‘Heroine’ bag and the skull print scarves.

Despite its fixed slot on the Paris runway schedule every fashion week, this is the brand’s first Parisian store and signals a new stage of global growth for the label.

The German sportswear brand’s footwear collaboration with the Alexander McQueen second line McQ was unveiled at an event Wednesday night.

Mixing Sarah Burton’s unique vision with PUMA‘s sportswear heritage, the two brands have unveiled a line inspired by human anatomy, including ribcages and tendons, and marble prints.

The men’s and women’s styles feature Moulded TPU material, mesh and nubuck. Women’s shoes include the McQ Leap (with a wedge heel) and the Rush Lo and Mid styles, all set to go on sale on August 1.

The shoes were revealed at an event at Factory 7 in East London where guests (including fashionista Mary Charteris, and Phoebe Collings-James) were treated to music from Horse Meat Disco and cocktails from Ciroc.

Edie Campbell appears in the ALEXANDER MCQUEEN‘s latest ad campaign shot in London by Steven Klein and showing off the “romantic and wild beauty” from the Fall/Winter 2014/15 show held earlier this year in Paris.

A noted equestrian, Campbell was captured in pieces from the Alexander McQueen collection alongside the polo wrapped legs of a dark thoroughbred.

It’s the second time that Campbell has appeared in the brand’s advertising, and the second time in a row Klein has shot the campaign.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN has unveiled its first flagship in Japan, a 4,200-square-foot space in Tokyo’s Aoyama neighborhood.

The new store is set over two storeys, has separate ready-to-wear and accessories sections and follows on from the brand’s accessories-only store, which opened in April 2013.

The retail concept was conceived by the brand’s creative director, Sarah Burton, along with architectural practice David Collins Studio. The design mixes flora and fauna with added influences from painters Francis Bacon and HR Giger as well as nods to the McQueen label’s history.

A heritage tailored jacket and the famous ‘armadillo’ shoe have been etched onto bespoke plaster panel moldings alongside a range of motifs from the natural world.

“The collections are presented in an environment that feels luxurious and precious which is also reflective of our design ethos,” explained Burton.

The finishes include Calacatta Oro cracked marble flooring with deep pile carpets, and bronze animal feet on furniture, with the material also used to support marble shelves.

Other key elements include a one-piece marble staircase and a hanging installation by contemporary artists Takeo Hanazawa and Takao Togashi.